FIFA has officially released the squad regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, outlining new guidelines for team selections, player replacements, and injury changes ahead of the global tournament.
Under the new regulations, participating nations will be allowed to submit a preliminary squad consisting of between 35 and 55 players before naming a final 26-man squad for the competition.
FIFA has set June 2, 2026, as the official deadline for all participating countries to confirm their final squads.
According to the regulations, any player called up as a replacement during the tournament must come from the initially submitted preliminary list.
The world football governing body also confirmed that injury replacements will be permitted up to 24 hours before a team’s opening match of the tournament. Goalkeepers, however, can be replaced at any stage of the competition if they suffer an injury.
The announcement is expected to influence the selection strategies of national team coaches as they prepare for the tournament.
For Coach Carlos Queiroz, the new rules mean he will have the opportunity to make his final assessment during his side’s preparatory match against Mexico national football team before deciding on the final additions and possible replacement options for his World Cup squad.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
